So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Setup Services.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been ideal, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to accessibility three different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, but every little thing regarding the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I saw random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Setup Services.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– consider the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that actually works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.